Kristina Derro
\nVeteran Advocate<\/p>\n
\u00a0This is just disgraceful. \u00a0CNN has been reporting for months on the extended delays for health care appointments suffered by veterans across the country and who died while waiting.<\/p>\n
\u00a0However, new revelations of secret lists and shredded evidence show that long-waits could be just the tip of the iceberg. At least 40 veterans died waiting for appointments at the Phoenix Veterans Affairs Health Care system, many of whom were placed on a secret<\/em> waiting list.<\/p>\n This secret list was devised as part of an elaborate scheme by the VA managers in Phoenix who were trying to hide that 1,400 to 1,600 sick veterans were forced to wait months to see a doctor, according to reports from CNN.<\/p>\n Dr. Sam Foote, who just retired after 24 years with the Phoenix VA, said in an exclusive interview with CNN that, \u201cThe scheme was deliberately put in place to avoid the VA\u2019s own internal rules.\u201d<\/p>\n